Leinster and La Rochelle set for another epic encounter as Champions Cup fixtures announced
Leinster-La Rochelle have had one of rugby’s best rivalries in the 2020’s.
They’ve contested in two of the most competitive and thrilling Investec Champions Cup finals in recent memories and all their other clashes bar one (the quarter-final in 2024) have been nail-biters that went right to the wire.
La Rochelle have the upper hand, winning the two finals but Leinster have won the last three encounters, including two away wins in the Stade Marcel Deflandre. With the added element of Ronan O’Gara coaching against his old foes this rivalry really has lived up to all expectations in recent years.
The La Rochelle team celebrate after lifting the Champions Cup. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The next installment in this rivalry was announced last month when the two were drawn in the same Champions Cup pool for the third year in-a-row and now today we finally have a date for the match.
The EPCR confirmed on Tuesday that Leinster will host Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle in round 3 of the pool stages on Saturday 10 January 2026, with kick-off slated for 5:30pm. One thing to note in the announcement is the lack of confirmation of a venue for the match.
Ciarán Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan after their side’s victory against La Rochelle. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Leinster played the majority of their home games at the Aviva Stadium last season due to renovations to the RDS Arena and are set to continue their residency in Lansdowne Road for the 2025/26 season. Leinster have also since 2024 hosted a number of games at Croke Park, including an interprovincial clash against Munster and the URC Grand Final against the Bulls last month.
With a game as prestigious and as hyped as Leinster-La Rochelle we could see the clash on its biggest stage yet at Croke Park. The historic venue would be the perfect stage for such a rivalry and if Leinster give plenty of notice, they’ll back themselves to be able to get close to selling out the stadium.
Their other pool stage games have also been set. They begin their quest for a fifth star at home to Harlequins on 6 December 2025 before they travel to Leicester to face the Tigers on December 12. They then face La Rochelle in Dublin before finishing the pool stages in a first-time ever clash against Bayonne on 17 January.
Ryan Baird, right, and Josh van der Flier of Leinster celebrate win against Stade Rochelais. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Munster too have confirmed their Champions Cup fixtures as they begin their campaign away to English Premiership Champions Bath on 6 December. They will then make their return to Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 13 December as they host Gloucester in Cork.
Munster players make their way on to the pitch at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
They’ll then travel away to the Stade Felix Mayol to face Toulon on 11 January before finishing their pool stage at home to Castres on 17 January.
We may have all eyes set on the Lions but the club season is only around the corner yet again as Leinster will look to finally end their European hoodoo and get their fifth star.
